Television support tilt mechanism

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a head portion, an undercarriage portion, and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move into a plurality of different lengths. A first end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the undercarriage portion and a second end of the undercarriage portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion. A second end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a second end of the telescopic portion. In a first position, the telescopic portion has a first length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a first angle. In a second position, the telescopic portion has a second length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a second angle different from the first angle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/984,404, filed on Aug. 4, 2020, which application is a continuationof and claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Nos. 29/740,167and 29/740,169, both filed on Jul. 1, 2020, each of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Tilting television wall mounts are generally known in the art. Forexample, US Publication No. 2008/0283694 (which publication isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes a displaywall mount with a wall bracket configured to couple to a wall and havinga first wall bracket edge, a display bracket configured to couple to thedisplay and having a first display bracket edge, and a curvilinear barmoveably coupled between the first wall bracket edge and the firstdisplay bracket edge, where the display bracket is moveably coupled tothe wall bracket.

SUMMARY

An example electronic device mounting apparatus includes a head portionconfigured for attachment to an electronic device, an undercarriageportion configured for attachment to a wall, and a telescopic portioncomprising a first member, a second member, and a locking mechanism. Afirst end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a first end ofthe undercarriage portion and a second end of the undercarriage portionis rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion on thefirst member. A second end of the head portion is rotatably attached toa second end of the telescopic portion on the second member. The firstand second members of the telescopic portion are configured totelescopically slide with respect to one another. The locking mechanismis configured to lock the first and second members of the telescopicportion into a plurality of different positions with respect to oneanother. The head portion and the undercarriage portion are configuredto form different angles based on which of the plurality of differentpositions the telescopic portion is locked into.

An example apparatus includes a head portion, an undercarriage portion,and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move into a pluralityof different lengths. A first end of the head portion is rotatablyattached to a first end of the undercarriage portion and a second end ofthe undercarriage portion is rotatably attached to a first end of thetelescopic portion. A second end of the head portion is rotatablyattached to a second end of the telescopic portion. In a first position,the telescopic portion has a first length of the plurality of differentlengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a firstangle. In a second position, the telescopic portion has a second lengthof the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and theundercarriage portion form a second angle different from the firstangle.

An example electronic device mounting system includes a head portionattached to an electronic device, an undercarriage portion mounted to awall, and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move the headportion and the electronic device into a plurality of differentpositions. The plurality of different positions comprises at least afirst position and a second position. Movement of the telescopic portionadjusts an angle of a display of the electronic device with respect tothe wall. The telescopic portion includes a locking mechanism configuredto permit movement of the head portion from the first position to thesecond position without manual actuation of the locking mechanism. Thelocking mechanism is further configured to permit movement of thetelescopic portion from the second position only upon manual actuationof the locking mechanism.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, propertiesand relationships of the hereinafter disclosed television support tiltmechanisms will be obtained from the following detailed description andaccompanying drawings which set forth illustrative examples and whichare indicative of the various ways in which the principles of thedescribed television support tilt mechanisms may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, advantages, and objects of the subject disclosure willbecome more apparent from the detailed description as set forth below,when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencedcharacters identify correspondingly throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a first embodiment of atelevision support tilt mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a top, rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a back side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view thereof in a tilted position;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view thereof in a tilted position;

FIG. 8 is a top, front perspective view of a telescopic portion thereofin a retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a top, front perspective view of the telescopic portionthereof in an extended position;

FIG. 10 is a front side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof in the retracted position;

FIG. 11 is a front side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof in the extended position;

FIG. 12 is a rear side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof in the retracted position;

FIG. 13 is a rear side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof in the extended position;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof in the retracted position;

FIG. 15 is a right side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof in the extended position;

FIG. 16 is a top, rear perspective view of a second embodiment of atelevision support tilt mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a top, front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 18 is rear side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 19 is a front side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 20 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 21 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a top, front perspective view thereof in a tilted position;

FIG. 25 is a top, front perspective view of a telescopic portion thereofin a retracted position;

FIG. 26 is rear side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof;

FIG. 27 is a front side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof;

FIG. 28 is a right side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof;

FIG. 29 is a left side elevational view of the telescopic portionthereof;

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the telescopic portion thereof;

FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of the telescopic portion thereof; and

FIG. 32 is a top, front perspective view of the telescopic portionthereof in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a tilting support mechanismfor electronic devices, such as a television, computer monitor, etc.Because electronic devices such as televisions, computer monitors, etc.typically have displays, it is desirable for any mounting hardware orsupports for those electronic devices to be adjustable. In this way, auser may adjust the positioning of the electronic device withoutremoving the electronic device from its mounting hardware and/orsupports.

In particular, disclosed herein are embodiments for a support mechanismfor electronic devices that enables easy tilting of an electronic devicethat is mounted to a wall (either directly or via separate wall mounthardware) or mounted to some other structure than a wall.Advantageously, the embodiments disclosed herein provide for theelectronic device to be tilted to multiple different tilt angles, whilealso providing a locking mechanism that securely locks the electronicdevice into each one of those multiple different tilt angles.Additionally, as described further herein, the locking mechanismincludes a ratcheting mechanism that allows for manual adjustment of thetilt of the electronic device in a first direction (e.g., reducing thetilt angle of the electronic device) without specifically actuating thelocking mechanism, while permitting adjustment of the tilt of theelectronic device in a second direction (e.g., increasing the tilt angleof the electronic device) by actuating (e.g., unlocking) the lockingmechanism. Such features provide for an improved tilting mechanism thatis simple for a user to adjust the tilt of an electronic device, whilestill providing secure mounting for the electronic device to protect itfrom unwanted movement, damage, etc.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a first embodiment of a television support tiltmechanism 100. While various embodiments disclosed herein refer to atelevision, the support tilt mechanisms disclosed herein may be usedwith any object, including other electronic devices, or other objectsthat are not electronic devices at all.

The television support tilt mechanism 100 includes three majorcomponents, a head portion 105, an undercarriage portion 115, and atelescopic portion 110. The head portion 105 may be configured forattachment to an electronic device such as a television. The headportion 105 includes various openings and/or features that provide forthe electronic device to be rigidly secured to the head portion 105. Asfurther disclosed herein, the head portion 105, with the electronicdevice attached thereto, may be adjusted to different angles so that adisplay of the electronic device attached thereto may also be orientedat different angles.

The undercarriage portion 115 is configured for rigid attachment to awall or other structure, either directly or indirectly. For example, theundercarriage portion 115 may be directly attached to a wall or otherstructure, or may be rigidly attached to some other intermediate supportstructure that is attached to the wall or other structure. For example,in some embodiments, a wall bracket (not shown) may be attached to awall or other structure, and the undercarriage portion 115 may berigidly attached to the wall bracket.

The telescopic portion 110 of the support tilt mechanism 100 is shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 5-7 , but is described in further detail with respect toFIGS. 8-15 . The telescopic portion 110 includes a first member 135 anda second member 140 that can move or slide telescopically with respectto one another. In other words, the first member 135 may slide withrespect to the second member 140. For example, FIGS. 1-5, 8, 10, 12, and14 show the telescopic portion 110 in a fully retracted position, wherethe first member 135 and the second member 140 overlap to a greatestextent. As shown in FIGS. 1-5 , this represents a tilt position wherethe undercarriage portion 115 and the head portion 105 are generallyparallel (e.g., form an angle of zero degrees). As such, an electronicdevice rigidly attached to the head portion 105 may also therefore havea display surface that is generally parallel to the undercarriageportion 115, the head portion 105, and/or a wall to which the tiltsupport mechanism 100 is directly or indirectly attached.

In FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 , the first member 135 and the secondmember 140 have telescopically moved with respect to one another (e.g.,have been slid) as compared to FIGS. 1-5, 8, 10, 12, and 14 to adifferent, extended position. In such an extended position, the headportion 105 and the undercarriage portion 115 form an angle that isgreater than zero degrees. As such, a surface of an electronic devicemounted to the head portion 105 may also therefore form an angle withthe undercarriage portion 115 and/or a wall to which the undercarriageportion 115 is directly or indirectly attached that is greater than zerodegrees. In the extended position, such a surface of an electronicdevice may be tilted downward relative to a floor so that it may be moreeasily viewed. As such, the bottom of the tilt support mechanism 100 maybe generally oriented on the end where the undercarriage portion 115 isconnected to the head portion 105, while the top of the tilt supportmechanism 100 is generally oriented on the end where the head portion105 is connected to the telescopic portion 110.

While only two different positions of the tilt support mechanism 100 aredemonstrated in FIGS. 1-15 , the tilt support mechanism 100 may beadjusted to additional positions between a fully retracted and fullyextended position (e.g., additional partially extended positions). Eachposition to which the tilt support mechanism 100 may be adjusted mayform different angles between the undercarriage portion 115 and the headportion 105 (which may in turn cause a similar or same angle to beformed between a surface of an electronic device and the undercarriageportion 115 and/or a wall to which it is connected). For example, anglesfrom anywhere including and between zero (0) to thirty (30) degrees maybe accomplished using the embodiments described herein. As specificexamples, the tilt support mechanism 100 may be locked into varyingpositions with angles such as 0 degrees, 2.5 degrees, 5 degrees, 7.5degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees,22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, and/or 30 degrees.

A first end of the head portion 105 is rotatably attached to a first endof the undercarriage portion 115 at a hinge 125. The hinge 125 acts as apivot and has an axis about which the head portion 105 and theundercarriage portion 115 may rotate with respect to one another whileremaining attached.

A second end of the undercarriage portion 115 is rotatably attached to afirst end of the telescopic portion 110 at a hinge 130. The hinge 130acts as a pivot and has an axis about which the undercarriage portion115 and the telescopic portion 110 may rotate with respect to oneanother while remaining attached. The first end of the telescopicportion 110 at which the undercarriage portion 115 is attached islocated on the first member 135 of the telescopic portion 110.

A second end of the head portion 105 is rotatably attached to a secondend of the telescopic portion 110 at a hinge 120. The hinge 120 acts asa pivot and has an axis about which the head portion 105 and thetelescopic portion 110 may rotate with respect to one another whileremaining attached. The second end of the telescopic portion at whichthe head portion 105 is attached is located on the second member 140 ofthe telescopic portion 110.

Because the head portion 105, the telescopic portion 110, and theundercarriage portion 115 are all rotatably attached to one another, alength of the telescopic portion 110 may be adjusted to form atriangle-shaped structure with different angles. For example, a triangleshape generally formed by the head portion 105, the telescopic portion110, and the undercarriage portion 115 is visible in FIGS. 6 and 7 .

The head portion 105 and the undercarriage portion 115 are furthershaped such that, in a completely retracted position (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 1-5 ), the head portion and the undercarriage portion 115 mayoverlap to achieve a zero-degree angle between the two. In particular,the head portion 105 may have a U-shaped cross-section defining a mainsurface, two side surfaces, and a space between the two side surfaces.As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 6, and 7 , the hinges 120 and 125 may be attachedto the head portion 105 at the side surfaces. In this way, part of theundercarriage portion 115 and/or the telescopic portion 110 may moveinto the space formed between the two side surfaces of the head portion105. As such, a width of the undercarriage portion 115 may be less thanthe width of the space formed between the two side surfaces of the headportion 105. Thus, the head portion 105 and the undercarriage portion115 may overlap to form a zero-degree angle or other angles. Similarly,the telescopic portion 110 may also partially be in the space formedbetween the two side surfaces of the head portion 105.

The telescopic portion 110 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 8-15 . Inparticular, the telescopic portion 110 includes a comprising a firstmember 135, a second member 150, and a locking mechanism. The lockingmechanism is configured to lock the first and second members 135, 140 ofthe telescopic portion 110 into a plurality of different positions withrespect to one another, so that the telescopic portion 110 may havedifferent effective lengths to cause the head portion 105 to tile anelectronic device mounted thereon into different position as disclosedherein. In other words, in telescopically sliding the first member 135with respect to the second member 140, the head portion 105 and theundercarriage portion 115 may form different angles based on which of aplurality of different positions the telescopic portion 110 is lockedinto.

The locking mechanism of the telescopic portion 110 includes a slider145 on one of the first or second members (e.g., on the first member 135in FIGS. 8-15 ) and locking notches, such as a notch 160, on the otherof the first or second members (e.g., on the second member 140 in FIGS.8-15 ). The locking notches, including the notch 160, are located in agroove 155 of the second member 140. A portion (not shown) of the slider145 is configured to move or slide within the groove 155. The portion ofthe slider 145 in the groove 155 may lock into place in one of thenotches as disclosed herein.

The slider 145 comprises an unlocking key 150. The notches preventmovement of the slider 145 in a first direction without actuation of theunlocking key 150 of the slider 145 while permitting movement of theslider 145 in a second direction opposite the first direction withoutactuation of the unlocking key 150. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-15 ,the unlocking key 150 includes two buttons that, when actuated bypressing the buttons together causes the portion of the slider 145 inthe groove 155 to compress. The unlocking key 150 is specificallyconfigured to be actuated by compression on two opposing sides of theunlocking key 150. When the portion of the slider 145 in the groove 155is compressed upon actuation of the unlocking key 150, the notches ofthe second member 140 no longer interfere with the portion of the slider145 in the groove 155. Thus, when the unlocking key 150 is actuated, theslider 145 may be moved between positions associated with differentnotches to change the effective length of the telescopic portion 110 andtherefore the tile of an electronic device. The unlocking key 150 mayalso have a spring or other force that keeps the unlocking key 150 in anormally non-compressed position, which in turn also keeps the portionof the slider 145 in the groove 155 in a wider position to fill thenotches in the groove. This keeps the slider 145 locked into a discreteposition when it is not otherwise being adjusted by a user.

Each of the notches, including the notch 160, includes three surfacesshown in FIG. 11 . A surface 170 and a surface 175 are generallyperpendicular or normal to one another, while a surface 165 is angledwith respect to the other surfaces at a non-right angle. In particular,the surface 165 and the surface 170 form an angle between ninety (90)degrees and one hundred eighty (180) degrees. This provides a ratchetingmechanism, such that the portion of the slider 145 that is in the groove155 can slide over the surface 165 into the notch 160 without actuationof the unlocking key 150 (e.g., without compressing the buttons of theunlocking key 150 together). In contrast, because of the angle betweenthe surfaces 170 and 175, the portion of the slider 145 in the groove155 could not move in an opposite direction unless the unlocking key 150is actuated/compressed to narrow the width of the portion of the slider145 in the groove 155 to prevent interference between the slider 145 andthe surface 175. Stated another way, the slider 145 may be automaticallyactuated to move in a first direction (e.g., sliding over the surface165), but the slider 145 must be manually actuated by a user (e.g.,compressing the unlocking mechanism 150) to move in a second direction.

In other words, the ratcheting mechanism of the telescopic portion 110provides for the slider 145 to move between locking notches in a firstdirection without actuation of the unlocking key, and provides for theslider 145 to move between the locking notches in a second directionwith actuation of the unlocking key. In the example of FIGS. 1-15 ,movement of the slider 145 in the first direction that does not requireactuation of the unlocking key 150 causes a reduction of an anglebetween the head portion 105 and the undercarriage portion 115, as wellas reduction of an angle between the undercarriage portion 115 and anyelectronic device mounted to the head portion 105. This first directionof movement (e.g., shortening the effective length of the telescopicportion 110) requires a user to push on the head portion 105 orelectronic device mounted thereon against the force of gravity. Thus,the telescopic portion 110 will not move in the first directionaccidentally. Likewise, the force of gravity acts on the tilt supportmechanism 100 in a way that pulls the portion of the slider 145 in thegroove 155 against the right-angled surfaces (e.g., the surface 175) ofthe notches, also further locking the telescopic portion 110 in place.Thus, the telescopic portion 110 may be adjusted by pushing theelectronic device toward a wall against the force of gravity to takeadvantage of the ratcheting mechanism, or may be adjusted with the helpof gravity only when the unlocking key 150 is properly actuated.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the notches include opposing notches on two sidesof the groove 155. The notches on the two opposing sides of the groove155 in the example of FIG. 11 are also symmetrical with respect to anaxis aligned with a movement direction of the slider 145 of thetelescopic portion 110. Actuation of the unlocking key 150 thereforecauses a portion of the slider 145 in the groove 155 to compress suchthat the portion of the slider 145 in the groove 155 does not interferewith opposing notches on each side of the groove 155. The surface 170 isalso parallel to the movement direction of the slider 145 of thetelescopic portion 110.

FIGS. 16-32 show a second embodiment of an electronic device tiltsupport mechanism that functions similarly to the embodiment shown inand described with respect to FIGS. 1-15 .

Accordingly, disclosed herein are various embodiments for a wall mountfor a display screen/television (TV) screen that includes a head portionthat can be tilted along a horizontal axis relative to an undercarriageportion. The wall mount further includes a telescopic portion where thetilting is controlled by means of a ratcheting mechanism in thetelescopic portion. The ratcheting mechanism allows for convenient andsafe stepwise tilting from maximum tilt to an upright position. Othertilting mechanisms braked by friction require manual adjusting withtools (e.g., wrench, Allen key, screwdriver) to adjust the tilt frictionto the weight of the display screen/TV. In such mechanisms, too lowfriction leads to unwanted self-tilting, while too high friction meansthat a lot of manual force is required for tilting from maximum tilt toupright position. Advantageously, the proposed tilting mechanism isindependent of the weight of the display screen/TV and inherently safebecause it is locked unless and until it is intentionally unlocked.

While various concepts have been described in detail, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications andalternatives to those concepts could be developed in light of theoverall teachings of the disclosure. For example, different or similarcomponents to those disclosed herein that achieve the same ends may beused in place of or in combination with any of the components of theexamples above. It will also be appreciated that a detailed discussionof the actual implementation of various aspects of the examplesdescribed herein (e.g., how to attach a tilt support mechanism to awall) is not necessary for an enabling understanding of the invention.Rather, the actual implementation of the embodiments disclosed hereinwould be well within the routine skill of an engineer, given thedisclosure herein. Therefore, a person skilled in the art, applyingordinary skill, will be able to practice the invention set forth in theclaims without undue experimentation. It will be additionallyappreciated that the particular concepts disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the inventionwhich is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and anyequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device mounting apparatuscomprising: a head portion configured for attachment to an electronicdevice; an undercarriage portion configured for attachment to a supportsurface; a lock having a locked state and an unlocked state interposedbetween the head portion and the undercarriage portion; and a hingelinking the head portion and the undercarriage portion; wherein the headportion is free to rotate about the hinge in a first direction when thelock is in the locked state, the head portion is free to rotate aboutthe hinge in the first direction when the lock is in the unlocked state,the head portion is free to rotate about the hinge in a second directionopposite to the first direction when the lock is in the unlocked state,and the head portion is inhibited from being freely rotated about thehinge in the second direction when the lock is in the locked state. 2.The electronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinthe hinge is connected to a first end of the head portion and the lockis interposed between the head portion and the undercarriage portion ata second end of the head portion opposite to the first end.
 3. Theelectronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 2, furthercomprising a second hinge wherein the lock is connected to the secondend of the head portion via use of the second hinge.
 4. The electronicdevice mounting apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising athird hinge wherein the lock is connected to the undercarriage portionvia use of the third hinge.
 5. The electronic device mounting apparatusas recited in claim 4, wherein the lock is free to be linearly collapsedin the locked state and in the unlocked state and the lock is inhibitedfrom being freely linearly expanded in the locked state.
 6. Theelectronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein thelock comprises a lockable ratcheting mechanism.
 7. The electronic devicemounting apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the first directioncomprises a direction that lessens an angle formed between the headportion and the undercarriage portion relative to the hinge.
 8. Theelectronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein thefirst direction comprises a direction that lessens an angle formedbetween the head portion and the undercarriage portion relative to thehinge.
 9. The electronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim1, wherein the lock comprises a lockable ratcheting mechanism having afirst end connected to the head portion and a second end opposite thefirst end connected to the undercarriage portion.
 10. The electronicdevice mounting apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock isfree to be linearly collapsed in the locked state and in the unlockedstate and the lock is inhibited from being freely linearly expanded inthe locked state.
 11. The electronic device mounting apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the lock comprises a first element and asecond element movable relative to the first element and the firstelement is connected to the head portion and the second element isconnected to the undercarriage portion.
 12. The electronic devicemounting apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the second element isslidably movable relative to the first element.
 13. The electronicdevice mounting apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the firstelement is hingedly connected to the head portion.
 14. The electronicdevice mounting apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the secondelement is hindegly connected to the undercarriage portion.
 15. Theelectronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein alockable ratcheting mechanism is interposed between the first elementand the second element.
 16. The electronic device mounting apparatus asrecited in claim 12, wherein a lockable ratcheting mechanism isinterposed between the first element and the second element.
 17. Theelectronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein thesecond element is movable into a one of a plurality of discrete andfinite positions defined relative to the first element.
 18. Theelectronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein thesecond element is movable into a one of a plurality of discrete andfinite positions defined relative to the first element.
 19. Theelectronic device mounting apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein thesecond element is movable into a one of a plurality of discrete andfinite positions defined relative to the first element.